Fed says economy continues to weaken
WASHINGTON - The country's economic health deteriorated further in early spring as shoppers buckled under the strains of the housing and credit debacles and a weaker employment climate.

Recordable cards in time for mom's day
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Looking to follow up on the success of its greeting cards that play music and sound clips, Hallmark Cards Inc., is letting customers get into the act.

LCU's Stramp finally coming into his own
Will Stramp was supposed to be a college baseball star after he made Class 5A all-state in high school. He needed three seasons and a transfer, but the star part finally is coming to fruition.

Pope consoles victims of clergy sex abuse
WASHINGTON - Pope Benedict XVI prayed in a chapel Thursday with tearful victims of clergy sex abuse, an extraordinary gesture from a pontiff who has made atoning for the great shame of the U.S. church the cornerstone of his first papal trip to America.

Levin's grandstanding politicizes processIN HIS CONDESCENDING questioning of the top U.S. military commander in Iraq, Sen. Carl Levin managed to lob a heavy barrage of partisan politics into the November presidential election and disrespect a decorated war hero in one fell swoop.

Arts festival gets better with ageTHE LUBBOCK ARTS Festival has been a source of education, entertainment and celebration of art in Lubbock for three decades. This year's event promises to continue a fine Lubbock tradition.

Floydada, Slaton tops in area 2A
Two teams dominated the South Plains scene in Class 2A basketball this season, and therefore the same two teams dominated the Avalanche-Journal All-South Plains Class 2A top honors for 2007-08.

Over-40 women have contraceptive choices
ATLANTA - Birth control choices are wider these days for women 40 and older - a group that once viewed its options as pretty much limited to tube-tying surgery and condoms.

Car, bike show to benefit Family Guidance
Family Guidance and Outreach Center of Lubbock has scheduled a day of activities for its 10th annual Blue Ribbon Rally Car and Bike Show April 26 in the Depot District.

Stem cells from own tissue heal husky in Levelland
Today, Kodiak, known to friends as "Kodi," is a happy, smiling 3-year-old husky who loves drinking cola, but things were quite different just a few months ago before stem cell therapy healed his injured leg.

Event kicks off Lubbock Arts Festival
Lubbock, I love it, and the big blue skies above it," sang musician Shelley King as she performed Thursday for a crowd at the Lubbock Memorial Civic Center.

Road Construction
 Interstate 27 - The Texas Department of Transportation will close the Marsha Sharp Freeway between 19th and Fourth streets beginning at 9 p.m. today until 6 a.m. Saturday to allow contractors to install beams on a pedestrian bridge east of the Texas Tech Parkway. Traffic will be detoured along Fourth Street and the Texas Tech Parkway.

Committee chews over Tech faculty workload
A committee studying Texas Tech's faculty workload policy is exploring ways to make the policy more, not less, flexible, the author of a workload report that has irked some of the university's top professors said Wednesday.

Martin says
letters back
comments on Lubbock
ICON deal
Mayoral candidate Tom Martin said he has no reason to apologize to a city employee after Martin said last week at a news conference the employee was responsible for renewing a health insurance contract City Council members considered voiding.

Lubbock tastes bit of sour economy
Ripples from national economic woes became choppier in February, suggesting corrections in the local housing market and surging food and energy costs could sully Lubbock's spring.

Pope consoles victims of clergy sex abuse
WASHINGTON - Pope Benedict XVI prayed in a chapel Thursday with tearful victims of clergy sex abuse, an extraordinary gesture from a pontiff who has made atoning for the great shame of the U.S. church the cornerstone of his first papal trip to America.

Duncan may help define eminent domain
State Sen. Robert Duncan, R-Lubbock, might sponsor a bill next year for a constitutional amendment protecting private property rights that would better define when private land can be taken for public use, known as eminent domain.

Death noticesDon Lewis Apperson, 68, of Lewisville died Tuesday, April 15, 2008. Services will be 10 a.m. today in the Chapel of Dalton & Son Funeral Home.

Death noticesJanies Brownlee, 88, of Andrews died Wednesday, April 16, 2008. Services will be 10 a.m. today at McNett Funeral Home Chapel. McNett Funeral Home in Andrews.

Everett Lamont Veatch
Everett Lamont Veatch, 76, of Lubbock, passed away Wednesday, April 16, 2008. Graveside services will be 10 a.m. Saturday, April 19, 2008, at Resthaven Memorial Park with a Celebration of Life service to follow at 11 a.m. at Lakeridge United Methodist Church. Visitation will be tonight from 6 - 7:30 p.m. at Resthaven Funeral Home.

E. J. Pete Rogers
Services for E. J. "Pete" Rogers, 84, of Brownfield will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 19, 2008, at the Brownfield First United Methodist Church, with Rev. Charles Addington officiating. Burial will be in Terry County Memorial Cemetery under the direction of Brownfield Funeral Home.

Billy Jack Kinard
Family and friends of Billy Jack Kinard will gather for support and fellowship on Wednesday, April 16, 2008 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Lake Ridge Chapel and Memorial Designers. Service to celebrate his legacy is scheduled for Thursday, April 17, 2008 at 2:30 p.m. at Lake Ridge Chapel, 82nd St. and Iola Avenue. A committal service will follow at Peaceful Gardens Memorial Park. Billy Jack Kinard, 65 of Lubbock, died, Monday, April 14, 2008 at University Medical Center.

Wally Kleine
Wally Kleine, a native of Midland, died at a Lubbock hospital of heart failure, on Sunday, April 13, 2008.

Benita Avila Mora
Benita Avila Mora, 94, of Lubbock left us to be with the Lord Wednesday, April 16, 2008.

Aubrey Lanceford Smith
Aubrey Lanceford Smith, lifelong resident of New Home, departed this life on April 15, 2008, at the age of 92 years. He was born on Nov. 28, 1915, to Sam and Lucy (Hilton) Smith, who were pioneer settlers of Lynn County and founders of the New Home Community. Aubrey attended New Home High School. Mr. Smith married Pauline Shadden on May 25, 1936 in Tahoka. She preceded him in death on April 24, 1998. He was a farmer until his retirement in 1995. Mr. Smith served on the New Home ISD School Board and was a former deacon at New Home Baptist Church.

Mike Pruitt
Celebration of life services for Mike Pruitt, 56, of Lubbock will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, April 18, 2008, at Resthaven's Abbey Chapel, with Dr. Ken Horn officiating. Interment will follow at Resthaven Memorial Park. Visitation will be held from 5 - 6 p.m. Thursday, April 17, 2008, at Resthaven Funeral Home.

William G. Bryant
William G. Bryant, 88, longtime Hereford resident and business man, died April 17, 2008, in Amarillo, after a lengthy illness.

Deidra Anderson-Griggs
Deidra Anderson-Griggs, 31, was born on October, 31, 1976, to her proud parents Rev. Leon and Juanita Anderson. She graduated from Frenship High in 1995. She married DeShon Griggs on June 20, 1998. She was the owner of Ms. D's Creations Hair Salon. Left to cherish her memory are her husband; her mother; her sister, Leona; foster brother, John; and her special niece, Janayia (Nay-Nay); and a host of relatives and friends. Deidra was preceded in death by her father. The family will receive friends on Friday, April 18, 2008 from 6-8 p.m. at the Bacon Heights South Campus, 10911 Slide Rd.

Deidra Anderson-Griggs
Deidra Anderson-Griggs, 31, was born on October, 31, 1976, to her proud parents Rev. Leon and Juanita Anderson. She married DeShon Griggs on June 20, 1998. She was the owner of Ms. D's Creations Hair Salon. Left to cherish her memory are her husband; her mother; her sister, Leona; foster brother, John; and her special niece, Janayia (Nay-Nay). Deidra was preceded in death by her father. The family will receive friends on Friday, from 6-8 p.m. at the Bacon Heights South Campus, 10911 Slide Rd.

Larry Chapman
Larry Chapman, 57, of Muleshoe, passed away peacefully on April 17, 2008, in Lubbock. A celebration of life service will be held at 1 p.m., today, at Resthaven's Abbey Chapel with Terry Smith officiating. Interment will follow at Resthaven Memorial Park.

Ray Bailey
Family and friends will gather to celebrate the life of Ray Bailey at 1:30 p.m. Friday, April 18, 2008, in Monterey Church of Christ, with Charles Lindsey officiating. Committal service will follow in the Hale Center Cemetery under the direction of Lake Ridge Chapel. Visitors are welcome to come by Lake Ridge Chapel and Memorial Designers, 82nd and Iola, Thursday from 9 a.m. - 8 p.m. and Friday morning until 11:30 a.m. Mr. Bailey went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, April 15, 2008.

Don Lewis Apperson
Don Lewis Apperson, age 68 and a resident of Lewisville, Texas, passed away on April 15, 2008. Don was born February 14, 1940 to Audrey and Pauline Apperson in Lubbock. He is survived by his wife, Nell Apperson; two daughters, Tammy Lyn Goldthorn and her husband Burk, and Stacey Donnell Hulbert and her husband Joseph; and one son, Lewis Dean Apperson and his wife Michelle. He is also survived by five grandchildren as well as two brothers and two sisters, Kenneth Apperson, Fred Apperson, Paula Greene and Jane Reese.

Don Freeman
Donald Ross Freeman, Sr., of Lubbock, died April 15, 2008, at Covenant Medical Center, and at the age of 72, went to his Heavenly Father. He was born in Cisco, on Aug. 5, 1935. He graduated from Abilene High School and McMurray College.

LaVerne Caswell
Services for LaVerne Caswell, 85, of Brownfield, will be at 2 p.m., Friday, April 18, 2008 at Meadow First Baptist Church with Rev. Randy Land officiating and Rev. Ken McClung assisting. Burial will be in Meadow Cemetery under the direction of Brownfield Funeral Home.

Donnie Blackmon Lewis
Donnie Blackmon Lewis, 60, of Lubbock died Saturday at her home. Funeral services will be Thursday at 2 p.m. in the Franklin-Bartley Chapel, burial will follow in the Meadow Cemetery. Her family will receive friends Wednesday from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Donnie was born August 14, 1948 to Donald and Ida (Wilson) Blackmon. She was a graduate of Ropesville High School, and she attended South Plains College, and University of Texas. She married Bill Lewis October 21, 1986, in Lovington, N.M. She was a member of St. Luke's Methodist Church, and was a retired bookkeeper.

Margie Marsh
Graveside services for Margie Marsh, 95, of Crosbyton, will be at 2 p.m., Saturday, April 19, 2008, in the Crosbyton Cemetery with Rev. Lester Griffin officiating. Arrangements are under direction of Adams Funeral Home of Crosbyton.

Harold Dwain Henderson
Harold Dwain Henderson, 67, of Silverton, died Saturday, April 12, 2008. Services were 2 p.m. Thursday, April 17, 2008, at the First Baptist Church in Silverton, with Ronald Ledbetter and Les Reed officiating. Burial was in Silverton Cemetery under the direction of Myers-Chancellor Funeral Home.

L. J. McCallan Sr.
Services for L. J. McCallan Sr., 59, of Lubbock, will be Saturday, April 19, 2008, at 1 p.m., at the Hope Deliverance Church, under the direction of Ossie Curry Funeral Home. Burial will follow in the City of Lubbock Cemetery. Mr. McCallan died Monday, April 14, 2008, at UMC.

Bobbie Earl Hogan
Services for Bobbie Earl Hogan, 83, of Brownfield will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 19, 2008, at Calvary Baptist Church. Internment will follow at Terry County Memorial Cemetery under the direction of Brownfield Funeral Home.

L. J. McCallan Sr.
Services for L. J. McCallan Sr., 59, of Lubbock, will be Saturday, April 19, 2008, at 1 p.m., at the Hope Deliverance Church, under the direction of Ossie Curry Funeral Home. Burial will follow in the City of Lubbock Cemetery. Mr. McCallan died Monday, April 14, 2008, at UMC.

Charles Neil
A memorial service to celebrate the life of Charles Neil will be held at the First Baptist Church in Lubbock at 1 p.m. on Saturday. Interment will follow at 4 p.m. in Gardens of Memories Cemetery in Paducah. Charles was born on June 13, 1917 to Charles and Hattie Neil. He grew up and graduated from high school in Barnum, Minn. Charles graduated from the University of Minnesota. Charles married the former Cecil Braley and they were married 48 years when she passed away. He later married Virginia Bilderback.During WWII, Charles served in the Army Air Corps as a pilot and squadron commander. Charles flew over 100 sorties during the Berlin airlift. He continued his career in the Air Force where he commanded squadrons in both the Korean and Viet Nam conflicts. Charles commanded a B52 SAC base, served on the Joint Chiefs of Staff in the Pentagon and concluded he career as a director with NATO in Belgium. Charles retired in 1970 as a Colonel with numerous awards and citation including the Distinguished Service Cross. After leaving the Air Force, Charles earned an MBA from Texas Tech University and joined the Texas Tech faculty in the Business Administration department. Charles taught 11 years at Texas Tech, serving on the Governor's task force for small business, and the White House Conference for small business. Throughout his life, Charles was an active and dedicated leader in the Boy Scouts of America, serving in the several leadership positions.

Josh T. Howard
Services for Josh T. Howard, 70, of Lubbock, will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, April 18, 2008, in the Abernathy First Baptist Church, with Rev. Mike O'Donnell officiating.

Playoff preview? Mavericks top Hornets
DALLAS - Jason Kidd had the 100th triple-double of his career and sparked a 30-8 stretch, sending Dallas into a first-round playoff showdown with New Orleans with a 111-98 win over the Hornets Wednesday night.

Texas Tech vs. Kansas StateAbout the series: Texas Tech holds the all-time series lead, 22-12-1, but Kansas State has a 10-9-1 mark against the Red Raiders since 2001. The Wildcats have won four of the last six series between the clubs, with the 2006 series ending in a tie. Tech's last series win was in 2004 in Lubbock.

LCHS earns its fourth straight trip to state
GALVESTON - Lubbock Christian High advanced to the TAPPS state baseball tournament for the fourth year in a row and the fifth time in six years, getting a 3-for-3 game from Matt Sanderson in a 6-5, regional final win Saturday over Galveston O'Connell.